Focusing device for automobile headlights



S. E. BROWN FOCUSING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE HEADLIGHTS March 13. 1928. 1,662,360

Filed May 1. 1925 Patented Mar. 13, 1928 UNITED STATES SUMNER E. BROWN, 01? IIEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOCUSING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE IIEADLIGHTS.

Application filed May 1, 1925. Serial No. 27,225.;

The object of this invention is to provide a mounting for a light source which will permit greatly varied adjustment.

I have found particular need for a construction of this sort in connection Wli l'1 the focusing of light bulbs in automoblle head lights. In this work it is essential that the mounting be capable of positioning the light with great accuracy and tllitt lt be easy of manipulation. It is also desirable that it be simply constructed.

Mv mounting satisfies all of the above conditions. It consists of a socket, adapted to receive a light bulb, and provided with an adjusting member in threaded engagement therewith and which projects outwardly through an opening in the rear of the head lamp casing. The adjusting member is free to rotate in the casing and, when rotated, its threaded portion moves the socket longitudinally. The aperture in the casing through which the member projects is sufficiently large so that a universal tiltingmovement of the latter is permitted and thls, in combination with the longitudinal movement, provides a full range of adjustment. Thus by the manipulation of one member any de sired positioning of the bulb may be ob tained. I have also provided the adjusting member with means which preferably has clamping or frictional engagement with the casing to hold it in adjusted position. A portion of the clamping means ust mentioned may also, if desired, serve somewhat after the fashion of a spring washer to hold the socket in its position of axial adjustment.

Referring now to the drawings which show one illustrative embodiment of my invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of an automobile headlight with parts broken away to better show my focusing device;

Figure 2 is a view taken on line 22 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

I have shown at 2 the ordinary headlight housing and at 3 a portion of the usual reflector. The reference character 4: indicates a source of light, in this case a two filament incandescent bulb. This bulb is received within socket 6 in the customary manner and it is by adjusting the socket that the bulb is focused. I have shown at 8 the usual connections carrying current to the bulb.

The socket 6 fits loosely within opening 10 formedin the reflector 8, the edgesof the reflector around the opening. being turned b ackas at 12 to provide a fulcrum for the. socket. Sliding as well as rocking movement of the socket is thus providedfor. In order to prevent relative rotation of the socket and the reflector the opening 10 is provided with a keyway'lt into which fits a supporting member 16 secured to the socket 6 and serving as a key. The other end of the member 16 is turned down and, if desired,

may be formed into U-shape as shown.

at 18 although this is notessential. The

legs of the U are provided with alined threaded apertures to receivethe threaded shank of an adjusting member 20. This member 20 projects outwardly through an aperture 22 in the casing 2 and is provided with an enlarged knurled head 24 for manipulation. A dished washer 26 has engagement'with the outside of the casing 2 and with the head 24 and prevents inward movement of the member 20. With this construction when the member 20 is rotated the socket 6 is given rectilinear movement.

It will be noted that the opening 22 is circular and is enlarged so as to permit member 20 to have universal tilting movement to rock the socket 6. This, in combination with the axial adjustment, makes it possible to shift the bulb in anydirection, so that it may be properly positioned no matter what inaccuracies may creep into the manufacture of various parts of the assembly. I callparticular attention to the fact that all adjustments are under the control of the single adjusting member 20.

In order to hold the parts in any desired position of adjustment I have provided a second dished washer 28' which encircles the member 20, and is yieldingly forced into engagement withthe inside of the casing 2 by spring 30 which at its other end reacts against the end 18 of the member 16. This spring serves as a spring washer in that it tends to force the members 18 and 20 in opposite directions, thereby maintaining the axial adjustment of the bulb. It also serves to clamp the casing wall between the washers 26 and 28 and thus holds the socket in any selected position of rocking adjustment. At the same time the washers 26 and 28 effectively seal the casing against the entrance of dirt and moisture.

It will be noted that all the parts of my said casing to effect adjustment of the lamp and friction means mounted on said part and adapted to vieldingly hold the member in adjusted position.

2. In the eomhination as defined in claim 1 said friction means comprising a disc mounted on said member and a spring urging said dise inlo frictional engagement with the casing.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

SUMNER E. BROWN. 

